Resource configuration method, user equipment, and base station

ABSTRACT

According to a resource configuration method, user equipment, and a base station that are provided in embodiments of the present invention and relate to the communications field, reference signals used for measurement and overheads of corresponding measurement and feedback are reduced. A specific solution is as follows: A base station sends M reference signals to UE in N time units in a time unit set, where the reference signal is used by the UE to perform channel quality measurement, and each reference signal in the M reference signals is corresponding to one piece of precoding matrix information; receives channel quality indication information sent by the UE.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/CN2014/092587, filed on Nov. 28, 2014, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the communications field, and inparticular, to a resource configuration method, user equipment, and abase station.

BACKGROUND

As a quantity of wireless users and wireless data traffic sharplyincrease, a user imposes a higher requirement for a capacity andseamless coverage of a wireless network. To satisfy the user'srequirement, an antenna form of an active antenna system (Active AntennaSystems, AAS for short) is widely applied to a communications industry.

Antenna elements in each column in the AAS can be connected to multiplepower amplifiers. Therefore, multiple antenna ports can be separatelyformed in a horizontal dimension and in a vertical dimension. Inaddition, to ensure that a base station can flexibly provide bettersignal coverage for a user in a vertical direction, a drive network (amain function of the drive network is to map a vertical-directionantenna element onto an antenna port, so as to provide services forusers in different scenarios by using different antenna ports) in whicha downtilt and a beam shape can be flexibly adjusted in an automaticmanner in a vertical direction is provided in the prior art. A structureof the drive network is:

${Q = \begin{pmatrix}A_{1} & 0 & \; & 0 & \; & A_{k} & 0 & \; & 0 & A_{1} & \; & A_{k} \\0 & A_{1} & \ldots & 0 & \ldots & 0 & A_{k} & \ldots & 0 & {\alpha_{1}A_{1}} & \ldots & {\alpha_{1}A_{1}} \\\vdots & \vdots & \; & \vdots & \; & \vdots & \vdots & \; & \vdots & \vdots & \; & \vdots \\0 & 0 & \; & A_{1} & \; & 0 & 0 & \; & A_{k} & {\alpha_{p - 1}A_{1}} & \; & {\alpha_{p - 1}A_{k}}\end{pmatrix}},$

where Q is

a matrix including p×k block matrixes, p is a quantity ofvertical-direction antenna ports in a column, and k indicates a quantityof optional drive network weighted candidates. A_(i) is a block matrixin the matrix Q and indicates that the block matrix is a weightingvector used to map z (z>=1) antenna elements onto one antenna port, andα_(i) is a complex value weighting coefficient on the second antennaport. In this way, adaptive reference signals may be configured for theusers in the different scenarios by selecting different columns in thedrive network Q.

For example, a 3 Dimension Urban Micro (3 Dimension Urban Micro, 3DUMifor short) scenario in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3rdGeneration Partnership Project, 3GPP for short) is used as an example.In the scenario, if a base station has a height of 10 meters, a buildinghas eight floors, and each floor is three meters high, to ensure thatall users in the whole building can be provided with good enough signalcoverage, the base station may allocate a downtilt beam of 12 degrees tousers in the first to the fourth floors whose heights are lower thanthat of the base station, and allocate a downtilt beam of −6 degrees (adowntilt beam projected upward from the base station) to users in thefifth to the eighth floors whose heights are higher than that of thebase station: Therefore a drive network in the scenario may be designedas:

${Q^{\prime} = \begin{pmatrix}A_{1} & 0 & A_{2} & 0 & A_{1} & A_{2} \\0 & A_{1} & 0 & A_{2} & {\alpha_{1}A_{1}} & {\alpha_{2}A_{2}}\end{pmatrix}},$

where A₁ is a downtilt beam vector pointing to 12 degrees, and A₂ is adowntilt beam vector pointing to −6 degrees. The drive network Q′includes six different beams (each beam is corresponding to onedirection and one width). Based on the six different beams in the drivenetwork Q′, the base station may allocate, to users in differentscenarios, reference signals corresponding to reference signals based onthe different beams.

However, the inventor finds that when configuring a reference signal foruser equipment (User Equipment, UE for short), a base station needs tosend measurement reference signals corresponding to all possibleconfiguration combinations in a drive network to the UE, to enable theUE to feed back corresponding channel quality information, so that thebase station selects, from the possible combinations according to thechannel quality information that is fed back, an optimal drive networkconfiguration (that is, an optimal reference signal) and a measurementreference signal corresponding to the configuration. Specifically, Q′ isused as an example. A maximum of six antenna ports may be formed in Q′.When two antenna ports need to be formed, the two antenna ports areformed in a maximum of C₆ ²=15 possible drive network configurationcombinations, and each configuration combination is corresponding to oneto-be-sent and to-be-measured reference signal. Therefore, when thereare plenty of combination solutions, reference signals and overheads ofcorresponding measurement and feedback are increased.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a resource configurationmethod, user equipment, and a base station, and can reduce referencesignals used for measurement and overheads of corresponding measurementand feedback.

To achieve the foregoing objective, the following technical solutionsare used in the embodiments of the present invention:

According to a first aspect, a resource configuration method isprovided, including:

sending, by a base station, M reference signals to user equipment UE inN time units in a time unit set, where the reference signal is used bythe UE to perform channel quality measurement, and each reference signalin the M reference signals is corresponding to one piece of precodingmatrix information;

receiving channel quality indication information sent by the UE, wherethe channel quality indication information is determined by the UEaccording to the M reference signals;

selecting an optimal reference signal resource for the UE according tothe channel quality indication information; and

sending an optimal reference signal to the UE according to the optimalreference signal resource.

In a first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, beforethe sending, by a base station, M reference signals to user equipment UEin N time units in a time unit set, the method further includes:

sending, by the base station, resource configuration information of theM reference signals to the UE in the N time units in the time unit set,where the resource configuration information of the reference signalsincludes at least one piece of port information of the referencesignals, number information of the reference signals, or precodinginformation corresponding to the reference signals.

In a second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, thechannel quality indication information includes M channel qualitymeasurement results, an optimal channel quality measurement result, or areference signal number.

In a third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the timeunit set is notified by the base station to the UE by using higher layersignaling or a control channel.

In a fourth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, thereference signal includes a cell-specific reference signal or auser-specific reference signal.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the firstaspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the first aspect,when the reference signal is a cell-specific reference signal, the basestation indicates the resource configuration information of thereference signals by using a broadcast channel.

With reference to any one of the first aspect or the first to the fifthpossible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a sixth possibleimplementation manner of the first aspect, the time unit set isperiodically or non-periodically notified by the base station to the UE.

In a seventh possible implementation manner of the first aspect, thesending an optimal reference signal to the UE according to the optimalreference signal resource specifically includes:

sending, by the base station, the optimal reference signal to the UEaccording to the optimal reference signal resource in each time unitthat is after the time unit set and before a next time unit set isconfigured.

According to a second aspect, a channel quality measurement method isprovided, including:

receiving, by user equipment UE, M reference signals sent by a basestation in N time units in a time unit set, where each reference signalin the M reference signals is corresponding to one piece of precodingmatrix information;

reporting channel quality indication information to the base stationbased on the M reference signals, so that the base station selects anoptimal reference signal resource for the UE according to the channelquality indication information; and

receiving an optimal reference signal sent by the base station accordingto the optimal reference signal resource.

In a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, beforethe receiving, by user equipment UE, M reference signals sent by a basestation in N time units in a time unit set, the method further includes:

receiving, by the UE, resource configuration information of the Mreference signals that is sent by the base station in the N time unitsin the time unit set, where the resource configuration information ofthe reference signals includes at least one piece of port information ofthe reference signals, number information of the reference signals, orprecoding information corresponding to the reference signals.

In a second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, thechannel quality indication information includes M channel qualitymeasurement results, an optimal channel quality measurement result, or areference signal number.

In a third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the timeunit set is notified by the base station to the UE by using higher layersignaling or a control channel.

In a fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, thereference signal includes a cell-specific reference signal or auser-specific reference signal.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the secondaspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the second aspect,when the reference signal is a cell-specific reference signal, themethod further includes:

detecting, by the UE, a broadcast channel to obtain the resourceconfiguration information of the reference signals.

With reference to any one of the second aspect or the first to the fifthpossible implementation manners of the second aspect, in a sixthpossible implementation manner of the second aspect, the time unit setis periodically or non-periodically notified by the base station to theUE.

In a seventh possible implementation manner of the second aspect, thereceiving, by the UE, an optimal reference signal sent by the basestation according to the optimal reference signal resource specificallyincludes:

receiving, by the UE in each time unit that is after the time unit setand before a next time unit set is configured, the optimal referencesignal sent by the base station according to the optimal referencesignal resource.

According to a third aspect, a resource configuration method isprovided, including:

configuring, by a base station, M channel quality measurement processesfor a user terminal UE in N time units in a time unit set, where eachchannel quality measurement process is corresponding to one piece ofreference signal configuration information, the reference signalconfiguration information is used by the UE to perform channel qualitymeasurement based on a configured reference signal, the M channelquality measurement processes include L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes, each type of channel quality measurement processincludes a maximum of N channel quality measurement processes, andL<=M<=L*N.

In a first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, eachchannel quality measurement process in the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes is corresponding to one piece of precoding matrixinformation, and precoding matrix information corresponding to the anytwo types of channel quality measurement processes is different.

With reference to the third aspect or the first possible implementationmanner of the third aspect, in a second possible implementation mannerof the third aspect, each type of channel quality measurement process inthe L types of channel quality measurement processes is corresponding toone channel quality measurement result, and the channel qualitymeasurement result corresponding to each type of channel qualitymeasurement process is obtained by the UE or the base station based onchannel quality measurement results in all channel quality measurementprocesses that belong to the type and that are in the M channel qualitymeasurement processes.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the thirdaspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the third aspect,after the configuring, by a base station, M channel quality measurementprocesses for a user terminal UE in N time units in a time unit set, themethod further includes:

selecting, by the base station, an optimal type of channel qualitymeasurement process according to channel quality measurement resultscorresponding to the L types of channel quality measurement processes;and

sending, by the base station, a reference signal to the UE according toreference signal configuration information corresponding to the type ofchannel quality measurement process.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner or the thirdpossible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a fourth possibleimplementation manner of the third aspect, the channel qualitymeasurement result includes at least one of a channel quality indicatorCQI, a precoding matrix indicator PMI, a rank indicator RI, referencesignal received power RSRP, reference signal received quality RSRQ, or areference signal strength indicator RSSI.

In a fifth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, eachchannel quality measurement process in the M channel quality measurementprocesses includes an identification field, the identification fieldincludes channel quality measurement process identification informationthat is used to indicate a type to which the channel quality measurementprocess belongs, and identification information in channel qualitymeasurement processes of a same type is the same.

In a sixth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the timeunit set is notified by the base station to the UE by using higher layersignaling or a control channel.

With reference to any one of the third aspect or the first to the sixthpossible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a seventhpossible implementation manner of the third aspect, the time unit set isperiodically or non-periodically notified by the base station to the UE.

According to a fourth aspect, a channel quality measurement method isprovided, including:

receiving, by user equipment UE in N time units in a time unit set, Mchannel quality measurement processes configured by a base station,where each channel quality measurement process is corresponding to onepiece of reference signal configuration information, the M channelquality measurement processes include L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes, each type of channel quality measurement processincludes a maximum of N channel quality measurement processes, andL<=M<=L*N; and

performing, by the UE, channel quality measurement based on the Mconfigured channel quality measurement processes and a reference signalcorresponding to each channel quality measurement process.

In a first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, eachchannel quality measurement process in the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes is corresponding to one piece of precoding matrixinformation, and precoding matrix information corresponding to the anytwo types of channel quality measurement processes is different.

With reference to the fourth aspect or the first possible implementationmanner of the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation mannerof the fourth aspect, each type of channel quality measurement processin the L types of channel quality measurement processes is correspondingto one channel quality measurement result, and the channel qualitymeasurement result corresponding to each type of channel qualitymeasurement process is obtained by the UE or the base station based onchannel quality measurement results in all channel quality measurementprocesses that belong to the type and that are in the M channel qualitymeasurement processes.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner of thefourth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the fourthaspect, after the performing, by the UE, channel quality measurementbased on the M configured channel quality measurement processes and areference signal corresponding to each channel quality measurementprocess, the method further includes:

reporting, by the UE, channel quality measurement results correspondingto the L types of channel quality measurement processes to the basestation, so that the base station selects an optimal type of channelquality measurement process according to the channel quality measurementresults corresponding to the L types of channel quality measurementprocesses; and

receiving, by the UE, a reference signal sent by the base stationaccording to reference signal configuration information corresponding tothe selected optimal type of channel quality measurement process.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner or the thirdpossible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a fourthpossible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the channel qualitymeasurement result includes at least one of a channel quality indicatorCQI, a precoding matrix indicator PMI, a rank indicator RI, referencesignal received power RSRP, reference signal received quality RSRQ, or areference signal strength indicator RSSI.

In a fifth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, eachchannel quality measurement process in the M channel quality measurementprocesses includes an identification field, the identification fieldincludes channel quality measurement process identification informationthat is used to indicate a type to which the channel quality measurementprocess belongs, and identification information in channel qualitymeasurement processes of a same type is the same.

In a sixth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the timeunit set is notified by the base station to the UE by using higher layersignaling or a control channel.

With reference to any one of the fourth aspect or the first to the sixthpossible implementation manners of the fourth aspect, in a seventhpossible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the time unit setis periodically or non-periodically notified by the base station to theUE.

According to a fifth aspect, a base station is provided, including:

a sending unit, configured to send M reference signals to user equipmentUE in N time units in a time unit set, where the reference signal isused by the UE to perform channel quality measurement, and eachreference signal in the M reference signals is corresponding to onepiece of precoding matrix information;

a receiving unit, configured to receive channel quality indicationinformation sent by the UE, where the channel quality indicationinformation is determined by the UE according to the M referencesignals; and

a selection unit, configured to select an optimal reference signalresource for the UE according to the channel quality indicationinformation; where

the sending unit is configured to send an optimal reference signal tothe UE according to the optimal reference signal resource.

In a first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, thesending unit is further configured to send resource configurationinformation of the M reference signals to the UE in the N time units inthe time unit set, where the resource configuration information of thereference signals includes at least one piece of port information of thereference signals, number information of the reference signals, orprecoding information corresponding to the reference signals.

In a second possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, thechannel quality indication information includes M channel qualitymeasurement results, an optimal channel quality measurement result, or areference signal number.

In a third possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the timeunit set is notified by the base station to the UE by using higher layersignaling or a control channel.

In a fourth possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, thereference signal includes a cell-specific reference signal or auser-specific reference signal.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the fifthaspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect,when the reference signal is a cell-specific reference signal, the basestation indicates the resource configuration information of thereference signals by using a broadcast channel.

With reference to any one of the fifth aspect or the first to the fifthpossible implementation manners of the fifth aspect, in a sixth possibleimplementation manner of the fifth aspect, the time unit set isperiodically or non-periodically notified by the base station to the UE.

In a seventh possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, whensending the optimal reference signal to the UE according to the optimalreference signal resource, the sending unit is specifically configuredto:

send the optimal reference signal to the UE according to the optimalreference signal resource in each time unit that is after the time unitset and before a next time unit set is configured.

According to a sixth aspect, user equipment is provided, including:

a receiving unit, configured to receive M reference signals sent by abase station in N time units in a time unit set, where each referencesignal in the M reference signals is corresponding to one piece ofprecoding matrix information; and

a selection unit, configured to report channel quality indicationinformation to the base station based on the M reference signalsreceived by the receiving unit, so that the base station selects anoptimal reference signal resource for the UE according to the channelquality indication information; where

the receiving unit is further configured to receive an optimal referencesignal sent by the base station according to the optimal referencesignal resource.

In a first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, thereceiving unit is further configured to receive resource configurationinformation of the M reference signals that is sent by the base stationin the N time units in the time unit set, where the resourceconfiguration information of the reference signals includes at least onepiece of port information of the reference signals, number informationof the reference signals, or precoding information corresponding to thereference signals.

In a second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, thechannel quality indication information includes M channel qualitymeasurement results, an optimal channel quality measurement result, or areference signal number.

In a third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the timeunit set is notified by the base station to the UE by using higher layersignaling or a control channel.

In a fourth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, thereference signal includes a cell-specific reference signal or auser-specific reference signal.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the sixthaspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect,when the reference signal is a cell-specific reference signal, the userequipment further includes:

a detection unit, configured to detect a broadcast channel to obtain theresource configuration information of the reference signals.

With reference to any one of the sixth aspect or the first to the fifthpossible implementation manners of the sixth aspect, in a sixth possibleimplementation manner of the sixth aspect, the time unit set isperiodically or non-periodically notified by the base station to the UE.

In a seventh possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, whenreceiving the optimal reference signal sent by the base stationaccording to the optimal reference signal resource, the receiving unitis specifically configured to:

receive, in each time unit that is after the time unit set and before anext time unit set is configured, the optimal reference signal sent bythe base station according to the optimal reference signal resource.

According to a seventh aspect, a base station is provided, including:

a configuration unit, configured to configure M channel qualitymeasurement processes for a user terminal UE in N time units in a timeunit set, where each channel quality measurement process iscorresponding to one piece of reference signal configurationinformation, the reference signal configuration information is used bythe UE to perform channel quality measurement based on a configuredreference signal, the M channel quality measurement processes include Ltypes of channel quality measurement processes, each type of channelquality measurement process includes a maximum of N channel qualitymeasurement processes, and L<=M<=L*N.

In a first possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, eachchannel quality measurement process in the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes is corresponding to one piece of precoding matrixinformation, and precoding matrix information corresponding to the anytwo types of channel quality measurement processes is different.

With reference to the seventh aspect or the first possibleimplementation manner of the seventh aspect, in a second possibleimplementation manner of the seventh aspect, each type of channelquality measurement process in the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes is corresponding to one channel qualitymeasurement result, and the channel quality measurement resultcorresponding to each type of channel quality measurement process isobtained by the UE or the base station based on channel qualitymeasurement results in all channel quality measurement processes thatbelong to the type and that are in the M channel quality measurementprocesses.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner of theseventh aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the seventhaspect, the base station further includes:

a selection unit, configured to select an optimal type of channelquality measurement process according to channel quality measurementresults corresponding to the L types of channel quality measurementprocesses; and

a sending unit, configured to send a reference signal to the UEaccording to reference signal configuration information corresponding tothe type of channel quality measurement process.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner or the thirdpossible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, in a fourthpossible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the channelquality measurement result includes at least one of a channel qualityindicator CQI, a precoding matrix indicator PMI, a rank indicator RI,reference signal received power RSRP, reference signal received qualityRSRQ, or a reference signal strength indicator RSSI.

In a fifth possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, eachchannel quality measurement process in the M channel quality measurementprocesses includes an identification field, the identification fieldincludes channel quality measurement process identification informationthat is used to indicate a type to which the channel quality measurementprocess belongs, and identification information in channel qualitymeasurement processes of a same type is the same.

In a sixth possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, thetime unit set is notified by the base station to the UE by using higherlayer signaling or a control channel.

With reference to any one of the seventh aspect or the first to thesixth possible implementation manners of the seventh aspect, in aseventh possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the timeunit set is periodically or non-periodically notified by the basestation to the UE.

According to an eighth aspect, user equipment is provided, including:

a receiving unit, configured to receive, in N time units in a time unitset, M channel quality measurement processes configured by a basestation, where each channel quality measurement process is correspondingto one piece of reference signal configuration information, the Mchannel quality measurement processes include L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes, each type of channel quality measurement processincludes a maximum of N channel quality measurement processes, andL<=M<=L*N; and

a measurement unit, configured to perform channel quality measurementbased on the M configured channel quality measurement processes receivedby the receiving unit and a reference signal corresponding to eachchannel quality measurement process.

In a first possible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, eachchannel quality measurement process in the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes is corresponding to one piece of precoding matrixinformation, and precoding matrix information corresponding to the anytwo types of channel quality measurement processes is different.

With reference to the eighth aspect or the first possible implementationmanner of the eighth aspect, in a second possible implementation mannerof the eighth aspect, each type of channel quality measurement processin the L types of channel quality measurement processes is correspondingto one channel quality measurement result, and the channel qualitymeasurement result corresponding to each type of channel qualitymeasurement process is obtained by the UE or the base station based onchannel quality measurement results in all channel quality measurementprocesses that belong to the type and that are in the M channel qualitymeasurement processes.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner of theeighth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the eighthaspect, the user equipment further includes:

a report unit, configured to report channel quality measurement resultscorresponding to the L types of channel quality measurement processes tothe base station, so that the base station selects an optimal type ofchannel quality measurement process according to the channel qualitymeasurement results corresponding to the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes; wherein

the receiving unit is further configured to receive a reference signalsent by the base station according to reference signal configurationinformation corresponding to the selected optimal type of channelquality measurement process.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner or the thirdpossible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, in a fourthpossible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, the channel qualitymeasurement result includes at least one of a channel quality indicatorCQI, a precoding matrix indicator PMI, a rank indicator RI, referencesignal received power RSRP, reference signal received quality RSRQ, or areference signal strength indicator RSSI.

In a fifth possible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, eachchannel quality measurement process in the M channel quality measurementprocesses includes an identification field, the identification fieldincludes channel quality measurement process identification informationthat is used to indicate a type to which the channel quality measurementprocess belongs, and identification information in channel qualitymeasurement processes of a same type is the same.

In a sixth possible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, the timeunit set is notified by the base station to the UE by using higher layersignaling or a control channel.

With reference to any one of the eighth aspect or the first to the sixthpossible implementation manners of the eighth aspect, in a seventhpossible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, the time unit setis periodically or non-periodically notified by the base station to theUE.

According to a ninth aspect, a base station is provided, including:

a communications unit, configured to communicate with an externaldevice; and

a processor, configured to:

send M reference signals to user equipment UE in N time units in a timeunit set, where the reference signal is used by the UE to performchannel quality measurement, and each reference signal in the Mreference signals is corresponding to one piece of precoding matrixinformation;

receive, by using the communications unit, channel quality indicationinformation sent by the UE, where the channel quality indicationinformation is determined by the UE according to the M referencesignals;

select an optimal reference signal resource for the UE according to thechannel quality indication information; and

send an optimal reference signal to the UE according to the optimalreference signal resource by using the communications unit.

In a first possible implementation manner of the ninth aspect, theprocessor is further configured to send resource configurationinformation of the M reference signals to the UE in the N time units inthe time unit set by using the communications unit, where the resourceconfiguration information of the reference signals includes at least onepiece of port information of the reference signals, number informationof the reference signals, or precoding information corresponding to thereference signals.

In a second possible implementation manner of the ninth aspect, thechannel quality indication information includes M channel qualitymeasurement results, an optimal channel quality measurement result, or areference signal number.

In a third possible implementation manner of the ninth aspect, the timeunit set is notified by the base station to the UE by using higher layersignaling or a control channel.

In a fourth possible implementation manner of the ninth aspect, thereference signal includes a cell-specific reference signal or auser-specific reference signal.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the ninthaspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the ninth aspect,when the reference signal is a cell-specific reference signal,

the base station indicates the resource configuration information of thereference signals by using a broadcast channel.

With reference to any one of the ninth aspect or the first to the fifthpossible implementation manners of the ninth aspect, in a sixth possibleimplementation manner of the ninth aspect, the time unit set isperiodically or non-periodically notified by the base station to the UE.

In a seventh possible implementation manner of the ninth aspect, whensending the optimal reference signal to the UE according to the optimalreference signal resource by using the communications unit, theprocessor is specifically configured to:

send, by using the communications unit, the optimal reference signal tothe UE according to the optimal reference signal resource in each timeunit that is after the time unit set and before a next time unit set isconfigured.

According to a tenth aspect, user equipment is provided, including:

a communications unit, configured to communicate with an externaldevice; and

a processor, configured to:

receive, by using the communications unit, M reference signals sent by abase station in N time units in a time unit set, where each referencesignal in the M reference signals is corresponding to one piece ofprecoding matrix information;

report channel quality indication information to the base station basedon the M reference signals, so that the base station selects an optimalreference signal resource for the UE according to the channel qualityindication information; and

receive, by using the communications unit, an optimal reference signalsent by the base station according to the optimal reference signalresource.

In a first possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, theprocessor is further configured to receive, by using the communicationsunit, resource configuration information of the M reference signals thatis sent by the base station in the N time units in the time unit set,where the resource configuration information of the reference signalsincludes at least one piece of port information of the referencesignals, number information of the reference signals, or precodinginformation corresponding to the reference signals.

In a second possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, thechannel quality indication information includes M channel qualitymeasurement results, an optimal channel quality measurement result, or areference signal number.

In a third possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, the timeunit set is notified by the base station to the UE by using higher layersignaling or a control channel.

In a fourth possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, thereference signal includes a cell-specific reference signal or auser-specific reference signal.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the tenthaspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect,when the reference signal is a cell-specific reference signal,

the processor is further configured to detect a broadcast channel toobtain the resource configuration information of the reference signals.

With reference to any one of the tenth aspect or the first to the fifthpossible implementation manners of the tenth aspect, in a sixth possibleimplementation manner of the tenth aspect, the time unit set isperiodically or non-periodically notified by the base station to the UE.

In a seventh possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, whenreceiving, by using the communications unit, the optimal referencesignal sent by the base station according to the optimal referencesignal resource, the processor is specifically configured to:

in each time unit that is after the time unit set and before a next timeunit set is configured, receive, by using the communications unit, theoptimal reference signal sent by the base station according to theoptimal reference signal resource.

According to an eleventh aspect, a base station is provided, including:

a communications unit, configured to communicate with an externaldevice; and

a processor, configured to:

configure, by using the communications unit, M channel qualitymeasurement processes for a user terminal UE in N time units in a timeunit set, where each channel quality measurement process iscorresponding to one piece of reference signal configurationinformation, the reference signal configuration information is used bythe UE to perform channel quality measurement based on a configuredreference signal, the M channel quality measurement processes include Ltypes of channel quality measurement processes, each type of channelquality measurement process includes a maximum of N channel qualitymeasurement processes, and L<=M<=L*N.

In a first possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, eachchannel quality measurement process in the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes is corresponding to one piece of precoding matrixinformation, and precoding matrix information corresponding to the anytwo types of channel quality measurement processes is different.

With reference to the eleventh aspect or the first possibleimplementation manner of the eleventh aspect, in a second possibleimplementation manner of the eleventh aspect, each type of channelquality measurement process in the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes is corresponding to one channel qualitymeasurement result, and the channel quality measurement resultcorresponding to each type of channel quality measurement process isobtained by the UE or the base station based on channel qualitymeasurement results in all channel quality measurement processes thatbelong to the type and that are in the M channel quality measurementprocesses.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner of theeleventh aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of theeleventh aspect, the processor is further configured to: select anoptimal type of channel quality measurement process according to channelquality measurement results corresponding to the L types of channelquality measurement processes; and send, by using the communicationsunit, a reference signal to the UE according to reference signalconfiguration information corresponding to the type of channel qualitymeasurement process.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner or the thirdpossible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, in a fourthpossible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the channelquality measurement result includes at least one of a channel qualityindicator CQI, a precoding matrix indicator PMI, a rank indicator RI,reference signal received power RSRP, reference signal received qualityRSRQ, or a reference signal strength indicator RSSI.

In a fifth possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, eachchannel quality measurement process in the M channel quality measurementprocesses includes an identification field, the identification fieldincludes channel quality measurement process identification informationthat is used to indicate a type to which the channel quality measurementprocess belongs, and identification information in channel qualitymeasurement processes of a same type is the same.

In a sixth possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, thetime unit set is notified by the base station to the UE by using higherlayer signaling or a control channel.

With reference to any one of the eleventh aspect or the first to thesixth possible implementation manners of the eleventh aspect, in aseventh possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the timeunit set is periodically or non-periodically notified by the basestation to the UE.

According to a twelfth aspect, user equipment is provided, including:

a communications unit, configured to communicate with an externaldevice; and

a processor, configured to:

receive, in N time units in a time unit set by using the communicationsunit, M channel quality measurement processes configured by a basestation, where each channel quality measurement process is correspondingto one piece of reference signal configuration information, the Mchannel quality measurement processes include L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes, each type of channel quality measurement processincludes a maximum of N channel quality measurement processes, andL<=M<=L*N; and

perform channel quality measurement based on the M configured channelquality measurement processes and a reference signal corresponding toeach channel quality measurement process.

In a first possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, eachchannel quality measurement process in the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes is corresponding to one piece of precoding matrixinformation, and precoding matrix information corresponding to the anytwo types of channel quality measurement processes is different.

With reference to the twelfth aspect or the first possibleimplementation manner of the twelfth aspect, in a second possibleimplementation manner of the twelfth aspect, each type of channelquality measurement process in the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes is corresponding to one channel qualitymeasurement result, and the channel quality measurement resultcorresponding to each type of channel quality measurement process isobtained by the UE or the base station based on channel qualitymeasurement results in all channel quality measurement processes thatbelong to the type and that are in the M channel quality measurementprocesses.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner of thetwelfth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the twelfthaspect, the processor is further configured to: report, by using thecommunications unit, channel quality measurement results correspondingto the L types of channel quality measurement processes to the basestation, so that the base station selects an optimal type of channelquality measurement process according to the channel quality measurementresults corresponding to the L types of channel quality measurementprocesses; and receive, by using the communications unit, a referencesignal sent by the base station according to reference signalconfiguration information corresponding to the selected optimal type ofchannel quality measurement process.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner or the thirdpossible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, in a fourthpossible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, the channelquality measurement result includes at least one of a channel qualityindicator CQI, a precoding matrix indicator PMI, a rank indicator RI,reference signal received power RSRP, reference signal received qualityRSRQ, or a reference signal strength indicator RSSI.

In a fifth possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, eachchannel quality measurement process in the M channel quality measurementprocesses includes an identification field, the identification fieldincludes channel quality measurement process identification informationthat is used to indicate a type to which the channel quality measurementprocess belongs, and identification information in channel qualitymeasurement processes of a same type is the same.

In a sixth possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, thetime unit set is notified by the base station to the UE by using higherlayer signaling or a control channel.

With reference to any one of the twelfth aspect or the first to thesixth possible implementation manners of the twelfth aspect, in aseventh possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, the timeunit set is periodically or non-periodically notified by the basestation to the UE.

According to the resource configuration method, the user equipment, andthe base station provided in the embodiments of the present invention, abase station needs to send only M reference signals to UE in N timeunits in a configured time unit set. After receiving the M referencesignals, the UE performs channel quality measurement M times based onthe M different reference signals to obtain M channel qualitymeasurement results, and sends channel quality indication information tothe base station according to the M channel quality measurement results.The base station selects an optimal reference signal for the UEaccording to the channel quality indication information, and sends theoptimal reference signal to the UE. Compared with the prior art in whichto configure a best reference signal for UE, a base station needs toconfigure reference signals corresponding to all possible combinationsfor the UE, to enable the UE to separately perform channel qualitymeasurement and feedback, in the solutions provided in the presentinvention, the M different reference signals are configured for the UEin the N time units in the configured time unit set, so thatconfiguration of unnecessary reference signals by the base station isreduced. Therefore, reference signals and overheads of correspondingmeasurement and feedback are reduced, and resources are saved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To describe technical solutions in embodiments of the present inventionmore clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawingsrequired for describing the embodiments or the prior art. Apparently,the accompanying drawings in the following description show merely someembodiments of the present invention, and persons of ordinary skill inthe art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawingswithout creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a resource configuration methodaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of another resource configuration methodaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of still another resource configurationmethod according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of yet another resource configurationmethod according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a resource configuration methodaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of another resource configuration methodaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of still another resource configurationmethod according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of yet another resource configurationmethod according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a base station according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of user equipment according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of another base stationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of another user equipmentaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of still another base stationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of still another userequipment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another base stationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another user equipmentaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following clearly describes technical solutions in embodiments ofthe present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in theembodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the describedembodiments are merely some but not all of the embodiments of thepresent invention. All other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinaryskill in the art based on the embodiments of the present inventionwithout creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of thepresent invention.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a resource configurationmethod, and the method may be implemented by a base station. As shown inFIG. 1, the method specifically includes the following steps.

101. The base station sends M reference signals to UE in N time units ina time unit set.

The reference signal is used by the UE to perform channel qualitymeasurement and reporting. Specifically, each reference signal in the Mreference signals is corresponding to one piece of precoding matrixinformation, and the precoding matrix information in each referencesignal may be reference signal beam information corresponding to thereference signal. In addition, each reference signal is corresponding toone reference signal that is based on a different beam, that is, areference signal associated with a weighting coefficient correspondingto a different beam. Specifically, the reference signal includes acell-specific reference signal (for example, a cell-specific referencesignal (Cell-specific Reference Signal, CRS for short) resource) or auser-specific reference signal (a channel state information-referencesignal (Channel State Information Reference Signal, CSI-RS for short)resource). This is not limited in the present invention.

For example, the time unit set may be a restrictive measurement subframeset configured by the base station for the UE. The base station sendsthe M reference signals to the UE in N subframes in the restrictivemeasurement subframe set. The N subframes may be N consecutive subframesor N inconsecutive subframes. This is not limited herein. Specifically,the base station sends at least one reference signal to the UE in eachsubframe. After receiving the reference signal, the UE performscorresponding channel quality measurement and reporting in the subframeaccording to the reference signal.

Optionally, the time unit set is periodically or non-periodicallynotified by the base station to the UE.

Specifically, when the base station configures the UE to perform channelquality measurement and reporting in the time unit set, the base stationmay periodically configure, according to a predetermined period, the UEto perform channel quality measurement and reporting in the time unitset. The predetermined period refers to a long period configured by thebase station for the UE to perform channel quality measurement andreporting in a time unit set. The UE performs channel qualitymeasurement and reporting in the time unit set according to thepredetermined period. Alternatively, the base station may configuretrigger signaling for the UE, so that the UE performs channel qualitymeasurement and reporting in the time unit set according to anindication of the trigger signaling.

Optionally, the time unit set is notified by the base station to the UEby using a control channel or higher layer signaling.

For example, the time unit set may be notified by the base station tothe UE by using the control channel. For example, the base station mayadd trigger signaling to a downlink control information format (DownlinkControl Information Format, DCI format for short) of a physical downlinkcontrol channel (Physical Downlink Control Channel, PDCCH for short) andsend the DCI format to the UE, so that the UE learns, according to atrigger identifier in the trigger signaling, of the time unit setconfigured by the base station. Alternatively, the time unit set may benotified by the base station to the UE by using the higher layersignaling. For example, the base station sends trigger signaling to theUE by using radio resource control (Radio Resource Control, RRC forshort) signaling, so that the UE learns of the time unit set accordingto a trigger identifier in the trigger signaling.

Optionally, before step 101, the method further includes the followingstep:

101 a. The base station sends resource configuration information of theM reference signals to the UE in the N time units in the time unit set.

The resource configuration information of the reference signals refersto necessary information required by the base station for sending thereference signals on M configured reference signal ports. Specifically,the resource configuration information of the reference signals includesat least one piece of port information of the reference signals, numberinformation of the reference signals, or precoding informationcorresponding to the reference signals. The UE can receive, onlyaccording to the resource configuration information of the referencesignals, the M reference signals sent by the base station.

Further, optionally, when the reference signal is a cell-specificreference signal, to enable the UE to distinguish different referencesignal configuration types (that is, different pieces of referencesignal configuration information corresponding to different beams), thebase station may indicate the resource configuration information of thereference signals by using a broadcast channel.

For example, if a reference signal corresponding to the cell-specificreference signal is a CRS, to enable the UE to distinguish differentpieces of CRS configuration information, the base station needs to add,to a broadcast channel in a corresponding time unit in the time unitset, a CRS configuration field including a CRS indication identifier, soas to indicate configuration information of the CRS, so that the UE canperform blind detection on the corresponding broadcast channel to obtainthe CRS configuration information corresponding to a CRS resource in thetime unit. The broadcast channel includes a PBCH channel.

It should be noted that when the measurement reference signal is auser-specific reference signal, in a time unit that is in the time unitset and for transmitting the user-specific reference signal (forexample, a CSI-RS), the base station needs to simultaneously send acell-specific reference signal (for example, a CRS) in the time unit.When the measurement reference signal is a cell-specific referencesignal, the base station needs to send only the cell-specific referencesignal in each time unit in the time unit set.

102. The base station receives channel quality indication informationsent by the UE.

The channel quality indication information is determined by the UEaccording to the M reference signals. The channel quality indicationinformation includes M channel quality measurement results, an optimalchannel quality measurement result, or a reference signal number.

The channel quality measurement result includes at least one piece ofmeasurement information. The measurement information in the channelquality measurement result includes at least one of a channel qualityindicator (Channel Quality Information, CQI for short), a precodingmatrix indicator (Precoding Matrix Indicator, PMI for short), a rankindicator (Rank Indicator, RI for short), reference signal receivedpower (Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP for short), referencesignal received quality (Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ forshort), or a reference signal strength indicator (Reference SignalStrength Indicator, RSSI for short). For example, if the channel qualitymeasurement is CSI measurement, the UE obtains M CSI measurement resultsafter performing CSI measurement M times according to the M referencesignals.

103. The base station selects an optimal reference signal resource forthe UE according to the channel quality indication information.

104. The base station sends an optimal reference signal to the UEaccording to the optimal reference signal resource.

Optionally, step 104 specifically includes the following step:

104 a. The base station sends the optimal reference signal to the UEaccording to the optimal reference signal resource in each time unitthat is after the time unit set and before a next time unit set isconfigured.

For example, when selecting the optimal reference signal configurationresource for the UE according to the M channel quality measurementresults, the base station may directly select any piece of measurementinformation in the M channel quality measurement results, or may selectat least two pieces of measurement information in the channel qualitymeasurement results for comprehensive selection. For example, CSImeasurement is used as an example. When the base station selects anoptimal reference signal for the UE according to CQIs in CSI measurementresults, the base station may directly use a reference signalcorresponding to a maximum CQI value in M CSI measurement results as theoptimal reference signal, and allocate the optimal reference signal tothe UE.

According to the resource configuration method provided in thisembodiment of the present invention, a base station needs to send only Mreference signals to UE in N time units in a configured time unit set.After receiving the M reference signals, the UE performs channel qualitymeasurement M times based on the M different reference signals to obtainM channel quality measurement results, and sends channel qualityindication information to the base station according to the M channelquality measurement results. The base station selects an optimalreference signal for the UE according to the channel quality indicationinformation, and sends the optimal reference signal to the UE. Comparedwith the prior art in which to configure a best reference signal for UE,a base station needs to configure reference signals corresponding to allpossible combinations for the UE, to enable the UE to separately performchannel quality measurement and feedback, in the solution provided inthe present invention, the M different reference signals are configuredfor the UE in the N time units in the configured time unit set, so thatconfiguration of unnecessary reference signals by the base station isreduced. Therefore, reference signals and overheads of correspondingmeasurement and feedback are reduced, and resources are saved.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a channel qualitymeasurement method. For descriptions of a technical term, a concept, andthe like that are in Embodiment 2 and related to Embodiment 1, refer tothe descriptions in Embodiment 1. Details are not described again inthis embodiment.

This embodiment may be implemented by UE. Specifically, as shown in FIG.2, the channel quality measurement method specifically includes thefollowing steps.

201. The UE receives M reference signals sent by a base station in Ntime units in a time unit set.

Specifically, the time unit set is periodically or non-periodicallynotified by the base station to the UE. In addition, the time unit setis notified by the base station to the UE by using higher layersignaling or a control channel.

Optionally, before step 201, the method further includes the followingstep:

201 a. The UE receives resource configuration information of the Mreference signals that is sent by the base station in the N time unitsin the time unit set.

The resource configuration information of the reference signals refersto necessary information required by the base station for sending thereference signals on M configured reference signal ports. Specifically,the resource configuration information of the reference signals includesat least one piece of port information of the reference signals, numberinformation of the reference signals, or precoding informationcorresponding to the reference signals. The UE can receive, onlyaccording to the configuration information of the reference signals, theM reference signals sent by the base station.

Optionally, when the reference signal is a cell-specific referencesignal, after step 201, the method further includes the followingcontent:

201 b. The UE detects a broadcast channel to obtain the resourceconfiguration information of the reference signals.

For example, if a reference signal corresponding to the cell-specificreference signal is a CRS, to be able to distinguish different pieces ofCRS configuration information, the UE needs to perform blind detectionon a broadcast channel corresponding to the base station in each timeunit, to obtain a CRS indication identifier included in a CRSconfiguration field in each broadcast channel, and obtains, in each timeunit according to an indication of the CRS indication identifier, CRSconfiguration information corresponding to the CRS. The broadcastchannel includes a PBCH channel.

202. The UE reports channel quality indication information to the basestation based on the M reference signals, so that the base stationselects an optimal reference signal resource for the UE according to thechannel quality indication information.

The channel quality indication information is determined by the UEaccording to the M reference signals. The channel quality indicationinformation includes M channel quality measurement results, an optimalchannel quality measurement result, or a reference signal number.

203. The UE receives an optimal reference signal sent by the basestation according to the optimal reference signal resource.

Optionally, step 203 specifically includes the following content:

203 a. The UE receives, in each time unit that is after the time unitset and before a next time unit set is configured, the optimal referencesignal sent by the base station according to the optimal referencesignal resource.

According to the channel quality measurement method provided in thisembodiment of the present invention, UE receives M reference signalssent by a base station in N time units in a configured time unit set,performs channel quality measurement M times based on the M differentreference signals to obtain M channel quality measurement results, andobtains channel quality indication information according to the Mchannel quality measurement results, so that the base station selects anoptimal reference signal for the UE according to the channel qualityindication information, and sends the optimal reference signal to theUE. Compared with the prior art in which to configure a best referencesignal for UE, a base station needs to configure reference signalscorresponding to all possible combinations for the UE, to enable the UEto separately perform channel quality measurement and feedback, in thesolution provided in the present invention, the M different referencesignals are configured for the UE in the N time units in the configuredtime unit set, and in a time unit outside the configured time unit set,the base station configures, for the UE, only the optimal referencesignal selected from the M reference signals, so that configuration ofunnecessary reference signals by the base station is reduced. Therefore,reference signals and overheads of corresponding measurement andfeedback are reduced, and resources are saved.

The following describes, in a specific scenario, an example of aresource configuration and channel quality measurement method providedin an embodiment of the present invention. For descriptions of atechnical term, a concept, and the like that are in the followingembodiments and related to the foregoing embodiments, refer to theforegoing embodiments.

For example, if N=6 (for a specific application scenario, refer to the3D UMi scenario described in the background), virtual weighting isperformed on vertical-direction antenna elements in each column by usinga drive network, to obtain six different beams. Based on the six beams,a corresponding virtual weighting matrix may be designed as:

$Q^{\prime} = {\begin{pmatrix}A_{1} & 0 & A_{2} & 0 & A_{1} & A_{2} \\0 & A_{1} & 0 & A_{2} & {\alpha_{1}A_{1}} & {\alpha_{2}A_{2}}\end{pmatrix}.}$

Each column in the matrix is corresponding to one vertical-directionbeam of a port, and each beam is corresponding to one direction and onewidth. α₁ and α₂ are complex value weighting coefficients, A₁ is adowntilt beam vector pointing to 12 degrees, and A₂ is a downtilt beamvector pointing to −6 degrees. Specifically, the first column and thesecond column in the matrix are corresponding to a wide beam pointing to12 degrees in a maximum value direction. The third column and the fourthcolumn in the matrix are corresponding to a wide beam pointing to −6degrees in a maximum value direction. The fifth column in the matrix iscorresponding to a narrow beam pointing to 12 degrees in a maximum valuedirection. The sixth column in the matrix is corresponding to a narrowbeam pointing to −6 degrees in a maximum value direction.

Based on the foregoing content, if a reference signal in this embodimentis a cell-specific reference signal such as a CRS or a user-specificreference signal such as a CSI-RS, as shown in FIG. 3, the resourceconfiguration and channel quality measurement method provided in thisembodiment of the present invention specifically includes the followingsteps:

a1. A base station separately sends six different CSI-RSs or CRSs to UEin six subframes in a restrictive measurement subframe set according tothe six different beams.

a2. The UE performs CSI measurement six times in the restrictivemeasurement subframe set based on the six CRSs or CSI-RSs to obtain sixCSI measurement results.

a3. The UE reports the six CSI measurement results to the base station,and the base station selects an optimal reference signal for the UEbased on the six CSI results; or the UE reports an optimal CSImeasurement result in the six CSI measurement results to the basestation, and the base station selects an optimal reference signal forthe UE based on the optimal CSI measurement result; or the UE reports aCRS or CSI-RS number corresponding to an optimal CSI measurement resultin the six CSI measurement results to the base station, and the basestation selects an optimal reference signal for the UE based on the CRSor CSI-RS number corresponding to the optimal CSI measurement result.

a4. The base station sends the optimal CRS or CSI-RS to the UE.

Specifically, the base station obtains a CQI value in each CSImeasurement result in the six CSI measurement results fed back by the UEin step a3, and sends a CSR or CSI-RS corresponding to a CSI measurementresult with a maximum CQI value, a measurement result of an optimal CRSor CSI-RS, or a number of an optimal CRS or CSI-RS to the UE, so thatthe UE receives, in each subframe that is after the restrictivemeasurement subframe set and before a next restrictive measurementsubframe set is configured, an optimal CRS or CSI-RS configuration sentby the base station, and performs CSI measurement and reportingaccording to the optimal CRS or CSI-RS configuration.

Optionally, the UE may report, to the base station according to a CQIvalue in each CSI measurement result in the six CSI measurement results,a CSI measurement result with a maximum CQI value or a CSR or CSI-RSnumber corresponding to the CSI measurement result with a maximum CQIvalue. The base station obtains the optimal CSI measurement result orthe number of the optimal CRS or CSI-RS that is fed back by the UE instep a3, and sends an optimal CRS or CSI-RS resource to the UE accordingto this, so that the UE receives, in each subframe that is after therestrictive measurement subframe set and before a next restrictivemeasurement subframe set is configured, an optimal CRS or CSI-RSconfiguration sent by the base station, and performs CSI measurement andreporting according to the optimal CRS or CSI-RS configuration.

According to the resource configuration and channel quality measurementmethod provided in this embodiment of the present invention, UE receivessix CRSs or CSI-RSs sent by a base station in six subframes in aconfigured restrictive measurement subframe set, and performs CSImeasurement N times based on the six different CRSs or CSI-RSs to obtainsix CSI measurement results. The base station selects an optimal CRS orCSI-RS for the UE based on the six CSI measurement results, an optimalCSI measurement result reported by the UE, or a CRS or CSI-RS numbercorresponding to an optimal CSI measurement result; and sends theoptimal CRS or CSI-RS to the UE. Compared with the prior art in which toconfigure a best CRS or CSI-RS for UE, a base station needs to configureCRS or CSI-RS resource configuration information corresponding to allpossible combinations in a drive network for the UE, to enable the UE toseparately perform channel quality measurement and feedback, in thesolution provided in the present invention, the six different CRSs orCSI-RSs are configured for the UE in the six subframes in the configuredrestrictive measurement subframe set, and in the subframes in theconfigured restrictive measurement subframe set, the base stationconfigures, for the UE, only the optimal reference signal selected fromthe M reference signals, so that configuration of unnecessary CRSs orCSI-RSs by the base station is reduced. Therefore, CRSs or CSI-RSs andoverheads of corresponding measurement and feedback are reduced, andresources are saved.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a resource configurationmethod. As shown in FIG. 4, the method may be implemented by a basestation, and specifically include the following step.

301. The base station configures M channel quality measurement processesfor UE in N time units in a time unit set.

Each channel quality measurement process in the M channel qualitymeasurement processes is corresponding to one piece of reference signalconfiguration information. The reference signal configurationinformation is used by the UE to perform channel quality measurementbased on a configured reference signal. The M channel qualitymeasurement processes include L types of channel quality measurementprocesses, each type of channel quality measurement process includes amaximum of N channel quality measurement processes, and L<=M<=L*N.

For example, the time unit set may be a restrictive measurement subframeset configured by the base station for the UE. The base stationconfigures the M channel quality measurement processes for the UE in Nsubframes in the restrictive measurement subframe set. The N subframesmay be N consecutive subframes or N inconsecutive subframes.Specifically, the base station configures at least one channel qualitymeasurement process for the UE in each subframe.

Specifically, each channel quality measurement process in the L types ofchannel quality measurement processes is corresponding to one piece ofprecoding matrix information, and precoding matrix informationcorresponding to any two types of channel quality measurement processesis different. A precoding matrix corresponding to each channel qualitymeasurement process in the L types of channel quality measurementprocesses may be reference signal beam information corresponding to thechannel quality measurement process. In addition, a beam on which areference signal corresponding to each type of channel qualitymeasurement process is based is different from each other, that is, thereference signal corresponding to each type of channel qualitymeasurement process is associated with a weighting coefficientcorresponding to a different beam. Specifically, the reference signalincludes a cell-specific reference signal (for example, a cell-specificreference signal (Cell-specific Reference Signal, CRS for short)resource) or a user-specific reference signal (a channel stateinformation-reference signal (Channel State Information ReferenceSignal, CSI-RS for short) resource). This is not limited in the presentinvention.

Optionally, the time unit set is periodically or non-periodicallynotified by the base station to the UE.

Specifically, when the base station configures the UE to perform channelquality measurement and reporting in the time unit set, the base stationmay periodically configure, according to a predetermined period, the UEto perform channel quality measurement and reporting of the M channelquality measurement processes in the time unit set. The predeterminedperiod refers to a long period configured by the base station for the UEto perform the channel quality measurement and reporting in a time unitset. The UE performs the channel quality measurement and reporting inthe time unit set according to the predetermined period. Alternatively,the base station may configure non-periodic trigger signaling for theUE, so that the UE performs the channel quality measurement andreporting in the time unit set according to an indication of the triggersignaling.

Optionally, the time unit set is notified by the base station to the UEby using a control channel or higher layer signaling.

For example, the time unit set may be notified by the base station tothe UE by using the control channel. For example, the base station mayadd trigger signaling to a DCI format of a PDCCH and send the DCI formatto the UE, so that the UE learns, according to a trigger identifier inthe trigger signaling, of the time unit set configured by the basestation. Alternatively, the time unit set may be notified by the basestation to the UE by using the higher layer signaling. For example, thebase station sends trigger signaling to the UE by using RRC signaling,so that the UE learns of the time unit set according to a triggeridentifier in the trigger signaling.

Optionally, each channel quality measurement process in the M channelquality measurement processes includes an identification field. Theidentification field includes channel quality measurement processidentification information. The channel quality measurement processidentification information is used to indicate, to the base station orthe UE, a type to which the channel quality measurement process belongs.Identification information in channel quality measurement processes of asame type is the same.

Specifically, when a quantity of channel quality measurement processescorresponding to a type of channel quality measurement process isgreater than 1, the base station needs to further notify and indicate,to the UE, channel quality measurement processes that belong to the typeof channel quality measurement process, and accordingly, needs to add anidentification field to each channel quality measurement process in thetype of channel quality measurement process, to indicate, to the UE, thetype to which the channel quality measurement process belongs. Forexample, if the channel quality measurement process is a CSI process,the base station may add a domain field such as a channel stateinformation process class identity (CSI-Process-Class Identity) field toeach CSI process to indicate a type, in the L types, to which the CSIprocess belongs.

Optionally, each type of channel quality measurement process in the Ltypes of channel quality measurement processes is corresponding to onechannel quality measurement result. The channel quality measurementresult corresponding to each type of channel quality measurement processis obtained by the UE or the base station based on channel qualitymeasurement results in all channel quality measurement processes thatbelong to the type and that are in the M channel quality measurementprocesses.

The channel quality measurement result includes at least one of a CQI, aPMI, an RI, RSRP, RSRQ, or an RSSI. Specifically, the base station orthe UE separately collects statistics about the channel qualitymeasurement results corresponding to all the channel quality measurementprocesses in each type of channel quality measurement process, so as toobtain the channel quality measurement result corresponding to each typeof channel quality measurement process. Each type of channel qualitymeasurement process is corresponding to one channel quality measurementresult.

According to the resource configuration method provided in thisembodiment of the present invention, a base station configures M channelquality measurement processes for UE in N time units in a configuredtime unit set. Each channel quality measurement process in the M channelquality measurement processes is corresponding to one piece of referencesignal configuration information, the M channel quality measurementprocesses include L types of channel quality measurement processes, andeach type of channel quality measurement process includes a maximum of Nchannel quality measurement processes. Therefore, based on configurationof the L types of channel quality measurement processes andcorresponding channel quality measurement, the base station may selectan optimal type of channel quality measurement process for the UE, andfurther select an optimal reference signal configuration. Whenconfiguring a best reference signal for the UE, the base station needsto configure only the optimal channel quality measurement process forthe UE in each time unit outside the time unit set, so that the basestation reduces reference signals, channel quality measurementprocesses, and overheads of corresponding measurement and feedback, andresources are saved.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 5, after step 301, the method provided inthis embodiment further includes the following steps:

302. The base station selects an optimal type of channel qualitymeasurement process according to channel quality measurement resultscorresponding to L types of channel quality measurement processes.

303. The base station sends a reference signal to the UE according toreference signal configuration information corresponding to the type ofchannel quality measurement process.

According to the further resource configuration method provided in thisembodiment of the present invention, a base station configures M channelquality measurement processes for UE in N time units in a configuredtime unit set. Each channel quality measurement process in the M channelquality measurement processes is corresponding to one piece of referencesignal configuration information, the M channel quality measurementprocesses include L types of channel quality measurement processes, andeach type of channel quality measurement process includes a maximum of Nchannel quality measurement processes. The base station selects anoptimal type of channel quality measurement process from a channelquality measurement result corresponding to each type of channel qualitymeasurement process in the L types of channel quality measurementprocesses, and sends a reference signal to the UE according to referencesignal configuration information corresponding to the type of channelquality measurement process, so that configuration of unnecessaryreference signals by the base station is reduced. In addition, when thebase station configures a best reference signal for the UE, the basestation may configure the selected optimal type of channel qualitymeasurement process for the UE in each time unit outside the time unitset, so that the base station reduces reference signals, channel qualitymeasurement processes, and overheads of corresponding measurement andfeedback, and resources are saved.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a channel qualitymeasurement method. For descriptions of a technical term, a concept, andthe like that are in Embodiment 5 and related to Embodiment 4, refer tothe descriptions in Embodiment 4. Details are not described again inthis embodiment.

This embodiment may be implemented by UE. Specifically, as shown in FIG.6, the channel quality measurement method specifically includes thefollowing steps.

401. The UE receives, in N time units in a time unit set, M channelquality measurement processes configured by a base station.

Each channel quality measurement process in the M channel qualitymeasurement processes is corresponding to one piece of reference signalconfiguration information. The reference signal configurationinformation is used by the UE to perform channel quality measurementbased on a configured reference signal. The M channel qualitymeasurement processes include L types of channel quality measurementprocesses, each type of channel quality measurement process includes amaximum of N channel quality measurement processes, and L<=M<=L*N.

Specifically, the time unit set is notified by the base station to theUE by using higher layer signaling or a control channel. In addition,the time unit set is periodically or non-periodically notified by thebase station to the UE.

402. The UE performs channel quality measurement based on the Mconfigured channel quality measurement processes and a reference signalcorresponding to each channel quality measurement process.

According to the channel quality measurement method provided in thisembodiment of the present invention, UE receives, in N time units in aconfigured time unit set, M channel quality measurement processesconfigured by a base station, and performs channel quality measurementbased on the M configured channel quality measurement processes and areference signal corresponding to each channel quality measurementprocess. Each channel quality measurement process in the M channelquality measurement processes is corresponding to one piece of referencesignal configuration information, the M channel quality measurementprocesses include L types of channel quality measurement processes, andeach type of channel quality measurement process includes a maximum of Nchannel quality measurement processes. Therefore, based on channelquality measurement on the L types of channel quality measurementprocesses, the UE may separately report a channel quality measurementresult corresponding to each type of channel quality measurementprocess, so that the base station may select an optimal type of channelquality measurement process for the UE, and further select an optimalreference signal configuration. Therefore, when the base stationconfigures a best reference signal for the UE, the base station mayconfigure the optimal type of channel quality measurement process forthe UE in each time unit outside the time unit set, so that overheads ofcorresponding measurement and feedback performed by the UE on thereference signal are reduced, and resources are saved.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7, after step 402, the method furtherincludes the following steps:

403. The UE reports channel quality measurement results corresponding toL types of channel quality measurement processes to the base station, sothat the base station selects an optimal type of channel qualitymeasurement process according to the channel quality measurement resultscorresponding to the L types of channel quality measurement processes.

404. The UE receives a reference signal sent by the base stationaccording to reference signal configuration information corresponding tothe selected optimal type of channel quality measurement process.

According to the further channel quality measurement method provided inthis embodiment of the present invention, UE receives, in N time unitsin a configured time unit set, M channel quality measurement processesconfigured by a base station, and performs channel quality measurementbased on the M configured channel quality measurement processes and areference signal corresponding to each channel quality measurementprocess. Then, the UE reports channel quality measurement resultscorresponding to L types of channel quality measurement processes to thebase station, so that the base station can select an optimal type ofchannel quality measurement process based on the channel qualitymeasurement results corresponding to the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes. Finally, the UE needs to receive only a referencesignal sent by the base station according to reference signalconfiguration information corresponding to the selected optimal type ofchannel quality measurement process. Therefore, measurement and feedbackperformed by the UE on unnecessary reference signals are reduced. Inaddition, when configuring a best reference signal for the UE, the basestation may configure the selected optimal type of channel qualitymeasurement process for the UE in each time unit outside the time unitset, so that overheads of corresponding measurement and feedbackperformed by the UE on the reference signal are reduced, and resourcesare saved.

The following describes, in a specific scenario, an example of aresource configuration and channel quality measurement method providedin an embodiment of the present invention. For descriptions of atechnical term, a concept, and the like that are in the followingembodiments and related to the foregoing embodiments, refer to theforegoing embodiments.

For example, if N=6 (for a specific application scenario, refer to the3DUMi scenario described in the background), virtual weighting isperformed on vertical-direction antenna elements in each column by usinga drive network, to obtain antenna ports corresponding to six differentbeams. A virtual weighting matrix corresponding to the six beams may bedesigned as:

$Q^{\prime} = {\begin{pmatrix}A_{1} & 0 & A_{2} & 0 & A_{1} & A_{2} \\0 & A_{1} & 0 & A_{2} & {\alpha_{1}A_{1}} & {\alpha_{2}A_{2}}\end{pmatrix}.}$

Each column in the matrix is corresponding to one vertical-directionbeam of a single port, and each beam is corresponding to one directionand one width. α₁ and α₂ are complex value weighting coefficients, A₁ isa downtilt beam vector pointing to 12 degrees, and A₂ is a downtilt beamvector pointing to −6 degrees. Specifically, the first column and thesecond column in the matrix are corresponding to a wide beam pointing to12 degrees in a maximum value direction. The third column and the fourthcolumn in the matrix are corresponding to a wide beam pointing to −6degrees in a maximum value direction. The fifth column in the matrix iscorresponding to a narrow beam pointing to 12 degrees in a maximum valuedirection. The sixth column in the matrix is corresponding to a narrowbeam pointing to −6 degrees in a maximum value direction.

Based on the foregoing content, if a channel quality measurement processin this embodiment is a CSI process, as shown in FIG. 8, a resourceconfiguration and channel quality measurement method provided in thisembodiment of the present invention specifically includes the followingsteps.

b1. A base station configures four channel quality measurement processesfor UE in each subframe in a restrictive measurement subframe setaccording to the six different beams.

Specifically, based on the six different beams, the base stationclassifies the 24 CSI processes into six types, and each type iscorresponding to one vertical-direction beam.

b2. The UE receives, in each subframe in the restrictive measurementsubframe set, the four CSI processes configured by the base station.

b3. The UE performs CSI measurement based on 24 configured CSI processesand a reference signal corresponding to each CSI process.

b4. The UE or the base station selects, from the six CSI process typesbased on a CSI measurement result corresponding to each type of CSIprocess in the 24 CSI processes, an optimal CSI process typecorresponding to an optimal beam.

For example, when a process described in step b4 is executed by the UE,step b4 specifically includes the following steps.

(1). The UE classifies the 24 CSI processes according to the sixdifferent vertical-direction beams in the drive network, where each typeof CSI process is corresponding to one vertical-direction beam.

(2). The UE successively combines CSI measurement results correspondingto all CSI processes in each type of CSI process, to obtain a CSImeasurement result for each type of CSI process.

Specifically, if a type of CSI process therein is used as an example,and the type of CSI process includes four CSI processes, the UE obtainsfour CSI measurement results corresponding to the four CSI processes,and then performs preferential combination on the four CSI measurementresults, so as to obtain a CSI measurement result for the type of CSIprocess.

Specifically, if a CSI measurement result corresponding to a CSI processin this embodiment includes at least one of a CQI or an RI, a process inwhich the UE performs preferential combination on the four CSImeasurement results of the type of CSI process may be implemented byusing the following process: The UE separately averages all CQI valuesthat are based on same RI values and in the four CSI measurementresults, to obtain a CQI average value corresponding to each RI, andthen uses a CQI average value corresponding to the maximum RI as the CSImeasurement result of the type of CSI process. Alternatively, the UEseparately selects a maximum CQI value 4 from all CQI values in the fourCSI measurement results, and then uses the maximum CQI value 4 as theCSI measurement result of the type of CSI process.

(3). The UE selects, from six CSI measurement results corresponding tosix types of CSI processes, an optimal CSI process type corresponding toan optimal beam.

b5. The base station sends a reference signal to the UE according toreference signal configuration information corresponding to the optimalCSI process type corresponding to the optimal beam.

According to the resource configuration and channel quality measurementmethod provided in this embodiment of the present invention, a basestation configures four CSI processes for UE in each subframe in arestrictive measurement subframe according to six different beams. Afterreceiving the CSI processes configured by the base station, the UEperforms corresponding CSI measurement and feedback. Then, the UE or thebase station selects an optimal beam from the six beams according to aCSI measurement result of a vertical-direction beam in a columncorresponding to each CSI process in 24 received CSI processes. Finally,the base station sends a reference signal to the UE according toreference signal configuration information corresponding to a CSIprocess of the optimal beam. Therefore, when the base station configuresa best reference signal for the UE, the base station needs to configureonly the selected optimal CSI process for the UE in each subframe in therestrictive measurement subframe set, so that overheads of correspondingmeasurement and feedback performed by the UE on the reference signal arereduced, and resources are saved.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a base station. As shownin FIG. 9, the base station 5 includes a sending unit 51, a receivingunit 52, and a selection unit 53.

The sending unit 51 is configured to send M reference signals to userequipment UE in N time units in a time unit set.

The reference signal is used by the UE to perform channel qualitymeasurement. Each reference signal in the M reference signals iscorresponding to one piece of precoding matrix information.

The receiving unit 52 is configured to receive channel qualityindication information sent by the UE. The channel quality indicationinformation is determined by the UE according to the M referencesignals.

The selection unit 53 is configured to select an optimal referencesignal resource for the UE according to the channel quality indicationinformation.

The sending unit 51 is further configured to send an optimal referencesignal to the UE according to the optimal reference signal resource.

Optionally, the sending unit 51 is further configured to send resourceconfiguration information of the M reference signals to the UE in the Ntime units in the time unit set.

The resource configuration information of the reference signals includesat least one piece of port information of the reference signals, numberinformation of the reference signals, or precoding informationcorresponding to the reference signals.

Optionally, the channel quality indication information includes Mchannel quality measurement results, an optimal channel qualitymeasurement result, or a reference signal number.

Optionally, the time unit set is notified by the base station to the UEby using higher layer signaling or a control channel.

Optionally, the time unit set is periodically or non-periodicallynotified by the base station to the UE.

Optionally, the reference signal includes a cell-specific referencesignal or a user-specific reference signal.

Optionally, when the reference signal is a cell-specific referencesignal, the base station indicates the resource configurationinformation of the reference signals by using a broadcast channel.

Optionally, when sending the optimal reference signal to the UEaccording to the optimal reference signal resource, the sending unit 51is specifically configured to send the optimal reference signal to theUE according to the optimal reference signal resource in each time unitthat is after the time unit set and before a next time unit set isconfigured.

According to the base station provided in this embodiment of the presentinvention, the base station needs to send only M reference signals to UEin N time units in a configured time unit set. After receiving the Mreference signals, the UE performs channel quality measurement M timesbased on the M different reference signals to obtain M channel qualitymeasurement results, and sends channel quality indication information tothe base station according to the M channel quality measurement results.The base station selects an optimal reference signal for the UEaccording to the channel quality indication information, and sends theoptimal reference signal to the UE. Compared with the prior art in whichto configure a best reference signal for UE, a base station needs toconfigure reference signals corresponding to all possible combinationsfor the UE, to enable the UE to separately perform channel qualitymeasurement and feedback, in the solution provided in the presentinvention, the M different reference signals are configured for the UEin the N time units in the configured time unit set, so thatconfiguration of unnecessary reference signals by the base station isreduced. Therefore, reference signals and overheads of correspondingmeasurement and feedback are reduced, and resources are saved.

An embodiment of the present invention provides user equipment. As shownin FIG. 10, the user equipment 6 includes a receiving unit 61 and areport unit 62.

The receiving unit 61 is configured to receive M reference signals sentby a base station in N time units in a time unit set. Each referencesignal in the M reference signals is corresponding to one piece ofprecoding matrix information.

The report unit 62 is configured to report channel quality indicationinformation to the base station based on the M reference signalsreceived by the receiving unit, so that the base station selects anoptimal reference signal resource for the UE according to the channelquality indication information.

The receiving unit 61 is further configured to receive an optimalreference signal sent by the base station according to the optimalreference signal resource.

Optionally, the receiving unit 61 is further configured to receiveresource configuration information of the M reference signals that issent by the base station in the N time units in the time unit set.

The resource configuration information of the reference signals includesport information of the reference signals, number information of thereference signals, or precoding information corresponding to thereference signals.

Optionally, the channel quality indication information includes Mchannel quality measurement results, an optimal channel qualitymeasurement result, or a reference signal number.

Optionally, the time unit set is notified by the base station to the UEby using higher layer signaling or a control channel.

Optionally, the reference signal includes a cell-specific referencesignal or a user-specific reference signal.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 10, when the reference signal is acell-specific reference signal, the user equipment 6 further includes adetection unit 63.

The detection unit 63 is configured to detect a broadcast channel toobtain the resource configuration information of the reference signals.

Optionally, the time unit set is periodically or non-periodicallynotified by the base station to the UE.

Optionally, when receiving the optimal reference signal sent by the basestation according to the optimal reference signal resource, thereceiving unit 61 is specifically configured to: receive, in each timeunit that is after the time unit set and before a next time unit set isconfigured, the optimal reference signal sent by the base stationaccording to the optimal reference signal resource.

According to the user equipment provided in this embodiment of thepresent invention, UE receives M reference signals sent by a basestation in N time units in a configured time unit set, performs channelquality measurement M times based on the M different reference signalsto obtain M channel quality measurement results, and obtains channelquality indication information according to the M channel qualitymeasurement results, so that the base station selects an optimalreference signal for the UE according to the channel quality indicationinformation, and sends the optimal reference signal to the UE. Comparedwith the prior art in which to configure a best reference signal for UE,a base station needs to configure reference signals corresponding to allpossible combinations for the UE, to enable the UE to separately performchannel quality measurement and feedback, in the solution provided inthe present invention, the M different reference signals are configuredfor the UE in the N time units in the configured time unit set, and in atime unit outside the configured time unit set, the base stationconfigures, for the UE, only the optimal reference signal selected fromthe M reference signals, so that configuration of unnecessary referencesignals by the base station is reduced. Therefore, reference signals andoverheads of corresponding measurement and feedback are reduced, andresources are saved.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a base station. As shownin FIG. 11, the base station 7 includes a configuration unit 71.

The configuration unit 71 is configured to configure M channel qualitymeasurement processes for a user terminal UE in N time units in a timeunit set. Each channel quality measurement process is corresponding toone piece of reference signal configuration information. The referencesignal configuration information is used by the UE to perform channelquality measurement based on a configured reference signal. The Mchannel quality measurement processes include L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes, each type of channel quality measurement processincludes a maximum of N channel quality measurement processes, andL<=M<=L*N.

Optionally, each channel quality measurement process in the L types ofchannel quality measurement processes is corresponding to one piece ofprecoding matrix information, and precoding matrix informationcorresponding to any two types of channel quality measurement processesis different.

Optionally, each type of channel quality measurement process in the Ltypes of channel quality measurement processes is corresponding to onechannel quality measurement result. The channel quality measurementresult corresponding to each type of channel quality measurement processis obtained by the UE or the base station based on channel qualitymeasurement results in all channel quality measurement processes thatbelong to the type and that are in the M channel quality measurementprocesses.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 11, the base station 7 further includes aselection unit 72 and a sending unit 73.

The selection unit 72 is configured to select an optimal type of channelquality measurement process according to channel quality measurementresults corresponding to the L types of channel quality measurementprocesses.

The sending unit 73 is configured to send a reference signal to the UEaccording to reference signal configuration information corresponding tothe type of channel quality measurement process.

Optionally, the channel quality measurement result includes at least oneof a channel quality indicator CQI, a precoding matrix indicator PMI, arank indicator RI, reference signal received power RSRP, referencesignal received quality RSRQ, or a reference signal strength indicatorRSSI.

Optionally, each channel quality measurement process in the M channelquality measurement processes includes an identification field. Theidentification field includes channel quality measurement processidentification information that is used to indicate a type to which thechannel quality measurement process belongs. Identification informationin channel quality measurement processes of a same type is the same.

Optionally, the M channel quality measurement processes are notified bythe base station to the UE by using higher layer signaling or a controlchannel.

Optionally, the M channel quality measurement processes are periodicallyor non-periodically notified by the base station to the UE.

According to the base station provided in this embodiment of the presentinvention, the base station configures M channel quality measurementprocesses for UE in N time units in a configured time unit set. Eachchannel quality measurement process in the M channel quality measurementprocesses is corresponding to one piece of reference signalconfiguration information, the M channel quality measurement processesinclude L types of channel quality measurement processes, and each typeof channel quality measurement process includes a maximum of N channelquality measurement processes. Therefore, based on configuration of theL types of channel quality measurement processes and correspondingchannel quality measurement, the base station may select an optimal typeof channel quality measurement process for the UE, and further select anoptimal reference signal configuration. When configuring a bestreference signal for the UE, the base station needs to configure onlythe optimal channel quality measurement process for the UE in each timeunit outside the time unit set, so that the base station reducesreference signals, channel quality measurement processes, and overheadsof corresponding measurement and feedback, and resources are saved.

An embodiment of the present invention provides user equipment 8. Asshown in FIG. 12, the user equipment 8 includes a receiving unit 81 anda report unit 82.

The receiving unit 81 is configured to receive, in N time units in atime unit set, M channel quality measurement processes configured by abase station. Each channel quality measurement process is correspondingto one piece of reference signal configuration information. The Mchannel quality measurement processes include L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes, each type of channel quality measurement processincludes a maximum of N channel quality measurement processes, andL<=M<=L*N.

The report unit 82 is configured to perform channel quality measurementbased on the M configured channel quality measurement processes receivedby the receiving unit 81 and a reference signal corresponding to eachchannel quality measurement process.

Optionally, each channel quality measurement process in the L types ofchannel quality measurement processes is corresponding to one piece ofprecoding matrix information, and precoding matrix informationcorresponding to any two types of channel quality measurement processesis different.

Optionally, each type of channel quality measurement process in the Ltypes of channel quality measurement processes is corresponding to onechannel quality measurement result. The channel quality measurementresult corresponding to each type of channel quality measurement processis obtained by the UE or the base station based on channel qualitymeasurement results in all channel quality measurement processes thatbelong to the type and that are in the M channel quality measurementprocesses.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 12, the user equipment 8 further includes areport unit 83.

The report unit 83 is configured to report channel quality measurementresults corresponding to the L types of channel quality measurementprocesses to the base station, so that the base station selects anoptimal type of channel quality measurement process according to thechannel quality measurement results corresponding to the L types ofchannel quality measurement processes.

The receiving unit 81 is further configured to receive a referencesignal sent by the base station according to reference signalconfiguration information corresponding to the selected optimal type ofchannel quality measurement process.

Optionally, the channel quality measurement result includes at least oneof a channel quality indicator CQI, a precoding matrix indicator PMI, arank indicator RI, reference signal received power RSRP, referencesignal received quality RSRQ, or a reference signal strength indicatorRSSI.

Optionally, each channel quality measurement process in the M channelquality measurement processes includes an identification field. Theidentification field includes channel quality measurement processidentification information that is used to indicate a type to which thechannel quality measurement process belongs. Identification informationin channel quality measurement processes of a same type is the same.

Optionally, the M channel quality measurement processes are notified bythe base station to the UE by using higher layer signaling or a controlchannel.

Optionally, the M channel quality measurement processes are periodicallyor non-periodically notified by the base station to the UE.

According to the user equipment provided in this embodiment of thepresent invention, the UE receives, in N time units in a configured timeunit set, M channel quality measurement processes configured by a basestation, and performs channel quality measurement based on the Mconfigured channel quality measurement processes and a reference signalcorresponding to each channel quality measurement process. Each channelquality measurement process in the M channel quality measurementprocesses is corresponding to one piece of reference signalconfiguration information, the M channel quality measurement processesinclude L types of channel quality measurement processes, and each typeof channel quality measurement process includes a maximum of N channelquality measurement processes. Therefore, based on channel qualitymeasurement on the L types of channel quality measurement processes, theUE may separately report a channel quality measurement resultcorresponding to each type of channel quality measurement process, sothat the base station may select an optimal type of channel qualitymeasurement process for the UE, and further select an optimal referencesignal configuration. Therefore, when the base station configures a bestreference signal for the UE, the base station may configure the optimaltype of channel quality measurement process for the UE in each time unitoutside the time unit set, so that overheads of correspondingmeasurement and feedback performed by the UE on the reference signal arereduced, and resources are saved.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a base station 9. Asshown in FIG. 13, the base station 9 includes a communications unit 91and a processor 92.

The communications unit 91 is configured to communicate with an externaldevice.

The processor 92 is configured to:

send M reference signals to user equipment UE in N time units in a timeunit set, where the reference signal is used by the UE to performchannel quality measurement, and each reference signal in the Mreference signals is corresponding to one piece of precoding matrixinformation;

receive, by using the communications unit 91, channel quality indicationinformation sent by the UE, where the channel quality indicationinformation is determined by the UE according to the M referencesignals;

select an optimal reference signal resource for the UE according to thechannel quality indication information; and

send an optimal reference signal to the UE according to the optimalreference signal resource by using the communications unit 91.

Optionally, the processor 92 is further configured to send resourceconfiguration information of the M reference signals to the UE in the Ntime units in the time unit set by using the communications unit 91. Theresource configuration information of the reference signals includes atleast one piece of port information of the reference signals, numberinformation of the reference signals, or precoding informationcorresponding to the reference signals.

Optionally, the channel quality indication information includes Mchannel quality measurement results, an optimal channel qualitymeasurement result, or a reference signal number.

Optionally, the time unit set is notified by the base station to the UEby using higher layer signaling or a control channel.

Optionally, the time unit set is periodically or non-periodicallynotified by the base station to the UE.

Optionally, the reference signal includes a cell-specific referencesignal or a user-specific reference signal.

Optionally, when the reference signal is a cell-specific referencesignal, the base station indicates the resource configurationinformation of the reference signals by using a broadcast channel.

Optionally, when sending the optimal reference signal to the UEaccording to the optimal reference signal resource by using thecommunications unit 91, the processor 92 is specifically configured to:

send, by using the communications unit 91, the optimal reference signalto the UE according to the optimal reference signal resource in eachtime unit that is after the time unit set and before a next time unitset is configured.

According to the base station provided in this embodiment of the presentinvention, the base station needs to send only M reference signals to UEin N time units in a configured time unit set. After receiving the Mreference signals, the UE performs channel quality measurement M timesbased on the M different reference signals to obtain M channel qualitymeasurement results, and sends channel quality indication information tothe base station according to the M channel quality measurement results.The base station selects an optimal reference signal for the UEaccording to the channel quality indication information, and sends theoptimal reference signal to the UE. Compared with the prior art in whichto configure a best reference signal for UE, a base station needs toconfigure reference signals corresponding to all possible combinationsfor the UE, to enable the UE to separately perform channel qualitymeasurement and feedback, in the solution provided in the presentinvention, the M different reference signals are configured for the UEin the N time units in the configured time unit set, so thatconfiguration of unnecessary reference signals by the base station isreduced. Therefore, reference signals and overheads of correspondingmeasurement and feedback are reduced, and resources are saved.

An embodiment of the present invention provides user equipment s10. Asshown in FIG. 14, the user equipment s10 includes a communications units101 and a processor s102.

The communications unit s101 is configured to communicate with anexternal device.

The processor s102 is configured to:

receive, by using the communications unit s101, M reference signals sentby a base station in N time units in a time unit set, where eachreference signal in the M reference signals is corresponding to onepiece of precoding matrix information;

report channel quality indication information to the base station basedon the M reference signals, so that the base station selects an optimalreference signal resource for the UE according to the channel qualityindication information; and

receive, by using the communications unit s101, an optimal referencesignal sent by the base station according to the optimal referencesignal resource.

Optionally, the processor s102 is further configured to receive, byusing the communications unit s101, resource configuration informationof the M reference signals that is sent by the base station in the Ntime units in the time unit set.

The resource configuration information of the reference signals includesat least one piece of port information of the reference signals, numberinformation of the reference signals, or precoding informationcorresponding to the reference signals.

Optionally, the channel quality indication information includes Mchannel quality measurement results, an optimal channel qualitymeasurement result, or a reference signal number.

Optionally, the time unit set is notified by the base station to the UEby using higher layer signaling or a control channel.

Optionally, the time unit set is periodically or non-periodicallynotified by the base station to the UE.

Optionally, the reference signal includes a cell-specific referencesignal or a user-specific reference signal.

Optionally, when the reference signal is a cell-specific referencesignal,

the processor s102 is further configured to detect a broadcast channelto obtain the resource configuration information of the referencesignals.

Optionally, when receiving, by using the communications unit s101, theoptimal reference signal sent by the base station according to theoptimal reference signal resource, the processor s102 is specificallyconfigured to:

in each time unit that is after the time unit set and before a next timeunit set is configured, receive, by using the communications unit s101,the optimal reference signal sent by the base station according to theoptimal reference signal resource.

According to the user equipment provided in this embodiment of thepresent invention, UE receives M reference signals sent by a basestation in N time units in a configured time unit set, performs channelquality measurement M times based on the M different reference signalsto obtain M channel quality measurement results, and obtains channelquality indication information according to the M channel qualitymeasurement results, so that the base station selects an optimalreference signal for the UE according to the channel quality indicationinformation, and sends the optimal reference signal to the UE. Comparedwith the prior art in which to configure a best reference signal for UE,a base station needs to configure reference signals corresponding to allpossible combinations for the UE, to enable the UE to separately performchannel quality measurement and feedback, in the solution provided inthe present invention, the M different reference signals are configuredfor the UE in the N time units in the configured time unit set, and in atime unit outside the configured time unit set, the base stationconfigures, for the UE, only the optimal reference signal selected fromthe M reference signals, so that configuration of unnecessary referencesignals by the base station is reduced. Therefore, reference signals andoverheads of corresponding measurement and feedback are reduced, andresources are saved.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a base station 11. Asshown in FIG. 15, the base station 11 includes a communications unit 111and a processor 112.

The communications unit 111 is configured to communicate with anexternal device.

The processor 112 is configured to:

configure, by using the communications unit 111, M channel qualitymeasurement processes for a user terminal UE in N time units in a timeunit set, where each channel quality measurement process iscorresponding to one piece of reference signal configurationinformation, the reference signal configuration information is used bythe UE to perform channel quality measurement based on a configuredreference signal, the M channel quality measurement processes include Ltypes of channel quality measurement processes, each type of channelquality measurement process includes a maximum of N channel qualitymeasurement processes, and L<=M<=L*N.

Optionally, each channel quality measurement process in the L types ofchannel quality measurement processes is corresponding to one piece ofprecoding matrix information, and precoding matrix informationcorresponding to any two types of channel quality measurement processesis different.

Optionally, each type of channel quality measurement process in the Ltypes of channel quality measurement processes is corresponding to onechannel quality measurement result. The channel quality measurementresult corresponding to each type of channel quality measurement processis obtained by the UE or the base station based on channel qualitymeasurement results in all channel quality measurement processes thatbelong to the type and that are in the M channel quality measurementprocesses.

Optionally, the processor 112 is further configured to: select anoptimal type of channel quality measurement process according to channelquality measurement results corresponding to the L types of channelquality measurement processes; and send, by using the communicationsunit 111, a reference signal to the UE according to reference signalconfiguration information corresponding to the type of channel qualitymeasurement process.

Optionally, the channel quality measurement result includes at least oneof a channel quality indicator CQI, a precoding matrix indicator PMI, arank indicator RI, reference signal received power RSRP, referencesignal received quality RSRQ, or a reference signal strength indicatorRSSI.

Optionally, each channel quality measurement process in the M channelquality measurement processes includes an identification field. Theidentification field includes channel quality measurement processidentification information that is used to indicate a type to which thechannel quality measurement process belongs. Identification informationin channel quality measurement processes of a same type is the same.

Optionally, the M channel quality measurement processes are notified bythe base station to the UE by using higher layer signaling or a controlchannel.

Optionally, the M channel quality measurement processes are periodicallyor non-periodically notified by the base station to the UE.

According to the base station provided in this embodiment of the presentinvention, the base station configures M channel quality measurementprocesses for UE in N time units in a configured time unit set. Eachchannel quality measurement process in the M channel quality measurementprocesses is corresponding to one piece of reference signalconfiguration information, the M channel quality measurement processesinclude L types of channel quality measurement processes, and each typeof channel quality measurement process includes a maximum of N channelquality measurement processes. Therefore, based on configuration of theL types of channel quality measurement processes and correspondingchannel quality measurement, the base station may select an optimal typeof channel quality measurement process for the UE, and further select anoptimal reference signal configuration. When configuring a bestreference signal for the UE, the base station needs to configure onlythe optimal channel quality measurement process for the UE in each timeunit outside the time unit set, so that the base station reducesreference signals, channel quality measurement processes, and overheadsof corresponding measurement and feedback, and resources are saved.

An embodiment of the present invention provides user equipment 12. Asshown in FIG. 16, the user equipment 12 includes a communications unit121 and a processor 122.

The communications unit 121 is configured to communicate with anexternal device.

The processor 122 is configured to:

receive, in N time units in a time unit set by using the communicationsunit 121, M channel quality measurement processes configured by a basestation, where each channel quality measurement process is correspondingto one piece of reference signal configuration information, the Mchannel quality measurement processes include L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes, each type of channel quality measurement processincludes a maximum of N channel quality measurement processes, andL<=M<=L*N; and

perform channel quality measurement based on the M configured channelquality measurement processes and a reference signal corresponding toeach channel quality measurement process.

Optionally, each channel quality measurement process in the L types ofchannel quality measurement processes is corresponding to one piece ofprecoding matrix information, and precoding matrix informationcorresponding to any two types of channel quality measurement processesis different.

Optionally, each type of channel quality measurement process in the Ltypes of channel quality measurement processes is corresponding to onechannel quality measurement result. The channel quality measurementresult corresponding to each type of channel quality measurement processis obtained by the UE or the base station based on channel qualitymeasurement results in all channel quality measurement processes thatbelong to the type and that are in the M channel quality measurementprocesses.

Optionally, the processor 122 is further configured to: report, by usingthe communications unit 121, channel quality measurement resultscorresponding to the L types of channel quality measurement processes tothe base station, so that the base station selects an optimal type ofchannel quality measurement process according to the channel qualitymeasurement results corresponding to the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes; and receive, by using the communications unit121, a reference signal sent by the base station according to referencesignal configuration information corresponding to the selected optimaltype of channel quality measurement process.

Optionally, the channel quality measurement result includes at least oneof a channel quality indicator CQI, a precoding matrix indicator PMI, arank indicator RI, reference signal received power RSRP, referencesignal received quality RSRQ, or a reference signal strength indicatorRSSI.

Optionally, each channel quality measurement process in the M channelquality measurement processes includes an identification field. Theidentification field includes channel quality measurement processidentification information that is used to indicate a type to which thechannel quality measurement process belongs. Identification informationin channel quality measurement processes of a same type is the same.

Optionally, the M channel quality measurement processes are notified bythe base station to the UE by using higher layer signaling or a controlchannel.

Optionally, the M channel quality measurement processes are periodicallyor non-periodically notified by the base station to the UE.

According to the user equipment provided in this embodiment of thepresent invention, the UE receives, in N time units in a configured timeunit set, M channel quality measurement processes configured by a basestation, and performs channel quality measurement based on the Mconfigured channel quality measurement processes and a reference signalcorresponding to each channel quality measurement process. Each channelquality measurement process in the M channel quality measurementprocesses is corresponding to one piece of reference signalconfiguration information, the M channel quality measurement processesinclude L types of channel quality measurement processes, and each typeof channel quality measurement process includes a maximum of N channelquality measurement processes. Therefore, based on channel qualitymeasurement on the L types of channel quality measurement processes, theUE may separately report a channel quality measurement resultcorresponding to each type of channel quality measurement process, sothat the base station may select an optimal type of channel qualitymeasurement process for the UE, and further select an optimal referencesignal configuration. Therefore, when the base station configures a bestreference signal for the UE, the base station may configure the optimaltype of channel quality measurement process for the UE in each time unitoutside the time unit set, so that overheads of correspondingmeasurement and feedback performed by the UE on the reference signal arereduced, and resources are saved.

It may be clearly understood by persons skilled in the art that, for thepurpose of convenient and brief description, division of the foregoingfunction modules is taken as an example for illustration. In actualapplication, the foregoing functions can be allocated to differentfunction modules and implemented according to a requirement, that is, aninner structure of an apparatus is divided into different functionmodules to implement all or some of the functions described above. For adetailed working process of the foregoing system and unit, refer to acorresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and detailsare not described herein again.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should beunderstood that the disclosed system and method may be implemented inother manners. For example, the described system embodiment is merely anexample. For example, the unit division is merely logical functiondivision and may be other division in actual implementation. Forexample, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated intoanother system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. Inaddition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or directcouplings or communication connections may be implemented through someinterfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections betweenthe units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of this application maybe integrated into one processing unit, or each of the units may existalone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit. Theintegrated unit may be implemented in a form of hardware, or may beimplemented in a form of a software functional unit.

The foregoing embodiments are merely intended for describing thetechnical solutions of this application, but not for limiting thisapplication. Although this application is described in detail withreference to the foregoing embodiments, persons of ordinary skill in theart should understand that they may still make modifications to thetechnical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or makeequivalent replacements to some technical features thereof, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of theembodiments of this application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A resource configuration method, comprising:configuring, by a base station, M channel quality measurement processesfor a user equipment (UE) in N time units in a time unit set, whereineach channel quality measurement process corresponds to one piece ofreference signal configuration information, the reference signalconfiguration information is used by the UE to perform channel qualitymeasurement based on a configured reference signal, the M channelquality measurement processes comprise L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes, each type of channel quality measurement processcomprises a maximum of N channel quality measurement processes, andL<=M<=L*N.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each type ofchannel quality measurement process in the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes corresponds to one channel quality measurementresult, and the channel quality measurement result corresponding to eachtype of channel quality measurement process is obtained by the UE or thebase station based on channel quality measurement results in all channelquality measurement processes that belong to the type and that are inthe M channel quality measurement processes.
 3. The method according toclaim 2, wherein the channel quality measurement result comprises atleast one of a channel quality indicator CQI, a precoding matrixindicator PMI, a rank indicator RI, reference signal received powerRSRP, reference signal received quality RSRQ, or a reference signalstrength indicator RSSI.
 4. The method according to claim 1, whereineach channel quality measurement process in the M channel qualitymeasurement processes comprises an identification field, theidentification field comprises channel quality measurement processidentification information that is used to indicate a type to which thechannel quality measurement process belongs, and identificationinformation in channel quality measurement processes of a same type isthe same.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the base stationnotifies the UE of the M channel quality measurement processes by usinghigher layer signaling or a control channel, and the base stationnotifies the UE of the time unit set by using the higher layer signalingor the control channel.
 6. A channel quality measurement method,comprising: receiving, by user equipment (UE) in N time units in a timeunit set, M channel quality measurement processes configured by a basestation, wherein each channel quality measurement process corresponds toone piece of reference signal configuration information, the M channelquality measurement processes comprise L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes, each type of channel quality measurement processcomprises a maximum of N channel quality measurement processes, andL<=M<=L*N; and performing, by the UE, channel quality measurement basedon the M configured channel quality measurement processes and areference signal corresponding to each channel quality measurementprocess.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein each type ofchannel quality measurement process in the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes corresponds to one channel quality measurementresult, and the channel quality measurement result corresponding to eachtype of channel quality measurement process is obtained by the UE or thebase station based on channel quality measurement results in all channelquality measurement processes that belong to the type and that are inthe M channel quality measurement processes.
 8. The method according toclaim 7, wherein the channel quality measurement result comprises atleast one of a channel quality indicator CQI, a precoding matrixindicator PMI, a rank indicator RI, reference signal received powerRSRP, reference signal received quality RSRQ, or a reference signalstrength indicator RSSI.
 9. The method according to claim 6, whereineach channel quality measurement process in the M channel qualitymeasurement processes comprises an identification field, theidentification field comprises channel quality measurement processidentification information that is used to indicate a type to which thechannel quality measurement process belongs, and identificationinformation in channel quality measurement processes of a same type isthe same.
 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the base stationnotifies the UE of the time unit set by using higher layer signaling ora control channel.
 11. A base station, comprising: a processor,configured to configure M channel quality measurement processes for auser terminal (UE) in N time units in a time unit set, wherein eachchannel quality measurement process corresponds to one piece ofreference signal configuration information, the reference signalconfiguration information is used by the UE to perform channel qualitymeasurement based on a configured reference signal, the M channelquality measurement processes comprise L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes, each type of channel quality measurement processcomprises a maximum of N channel quality measurement processes, andL<=M<=L*N.
 12. The base station according to claim 11, wherein each typeof channel quality measurement process in the L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes corresponds to one channel quality measurementresult, and the channel quality measurement result corresponding to eachtype of channel quality measurement process is obtained by the UE or thebase station based on channel quality measurement results in all channelquality measurement processes that belong to the type and that are inthe M channel quality measurement processes.
 13. The base stationaccording to claim 12, wherein the channel quality measurement resultcomprises at least one of a channel quality indicator CQI, a precodingmatrix indicator PMI, a rank indicator RI, reference signal receivedpower RSRP, reference signal received quality RSRQ, or a referencesignal strength indicator RSSI.
 14. The base station according to claim11, wherein each channel quality measurement process in the M channelquality measurement processes comprises an identification field, theidentification field comprises channel quality measurement processidentification information that is used to indicate a type to which thechannel quality measurement process belongs, and identificationinformation in channel quality measurement processes of a same type isthe same.
 15. The base station according to claim 11, wherein the basestation notifies the UE of the time unit set by using higher layersignaling or a control channel.
 16. User equipment, comprising: areceiver, configured to receive, in N time units in a time unit set, Mchannel quality measurement processes configured by a base station,wherein each channel quality measurement process corresponds to onepiece of reference signal configuration information, the M channelquality measurement processes comprise L types of channel qualitymeasurement processes, each type of channel quality measurement processcomprises a maximum of N channel quality measurement processes, andL<=M<=L*N; and a processor, configured to perform channel qualitymeasurement based on the M configured channel quality measurementprocesses received by the receiver and a reference signal correspondingto each channel quality measurement process.
 17. The user equipmentaccording to claim 16, wherein each type of channel quality measurementprocess in the L types of channel quality measurement processescorresponds to one channel quality measurement result, and the channelquality measurement result corresponding to each type of channel qualitymeasurement process is obtained by the UE or the base station based onchannel quality measurement results in all channel quality measurementprocesses that belong to the type and that are in the M channel qualitymeasurement processes.
 18. The user equipment according to claim 17,wherein the channel quality measurement result comprises at least one ofa channel quality indicator CQI, a precoding matrix indicator PMI, arank indicator RI, reference signal received power RSRP, referencesignal received quality RSRQ, or a reference signal strength indicatorRSSI.
 19. The user equipment according to claim 16, wherein each channelquality measurement process in the M channel quality measurementprocesses comprises an identification field, the identification fieldcomprises channel quality measurement process identification informationthat is used to indicate a type to which the channel quality measurementprocess belongs, and identification information in channel qualitymeasurement processes of a same type is the same.
 20. The user equipmentaccording to claim 16, wherein the base station notifies the UE of thetime unit set by using higher layer signaling or a control channel.